Maragas Winery

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Monday and Tuesday

Culver, Oregon, set between Smith Rock State Park and seven peaks of the Cascade Mountains. Doug began the work of establishing a winery and vineyard in Central Oregon in 1999. He and Gina married in 2004 and started planting traditional European wine grapes together. Their first vineyard block took the name Sam's Block, after their daughter, and became an experimental ground for more than 40 varietals. The estate vineyard now runs 21 acres across seven blocks, yielding 20 varietals that include Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Syrah, Pinot, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay. A second vineyard, 25 miles north, grows Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for a blend called Legal Zin. Farming is organic and sustainable, with farm dogs keeping deer at bay and chickens managing insects. The Dry Riesling Cuvée 23, a blend of Riesling clones 9, 198 and 239, was made in 124 cases.